Therapeutic apparatus



1. J. CARLGTTI. THERAPEUTIC APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED IIILY 30,19I7.

1,375,652, ,y I Immun. 19,1921.A

AAI

J. J. CAHLOTTI. THERAPEUTIC APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 30, 1917.

Patented. Apr. 19, 1921.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

INI/ENTOR ATTORNEYS UNITED STATES ATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH J. CARLOTT, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

THERAPEUTIC APPARATUS.

Application filed July 30,

To all cli/wm t may concern:

Be it known that I,A JOSEPH J. CAnLoT'ri, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the city of New York, borough of Manhattan, in the. county and State of New York, have invented a new and improved Therapeutic Apparatus, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

Among the principal objects which the present invention has in view are: To mechanically induce circulation oi the blood in the human body; to furnish a mechanism for stimulating the circulation of blood; to mechanically manipulate the human body; to avoid shock or injury to the body when treating the same; to regulate the extent and quality of the treatment; and to insure similarity in the treatment administered by the machine.

Drawings.

Figure 1 is a plan view of an apparatus constructed and arranged in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a side view of the same, the side frame of the machine being partly cut away to show the interior construction thereof;

Fig. 3 is a cross section on an enlarged scale, the section being taken as on the line 3-3 in Fig. 1; 1

Fig. 4 is across section on an enlarged scale, the section being taken as on the line 4 4 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section on an en larged scale, the section being taken as on the line 55 in Fig. 1.

Descm'ptz'oa.

As shown in the drawings, the apparatus provides a table 10. The table 10 is provided with a cushion 11, which is cut away to form a recess wherein manipulating pads 13, 14, 15 and 16 are disposed. The pads 14C and 15 are located to form supports for the spinal column of ahuman being when placed on the table 10, andl for the regions adjacent the shoulders and hips'of the patient. The pads 13 extend between the pads 14 and 15, covering the region of the spinal column between the shoulders and hips,

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. i9, 1921.

1917. Serial. N0. 183,470.

while the pad 16 is disposed for treating the .portion of the spinal column at the neck of the patient.

Asshown best in Figs. 3 and 5 of the drawings, the pads 13 to 16inclusive, are each mounted on rigid heads 17. The heads 17 are rigidly attached to plungers 18. The plungers 18 are each mounted in guide bearings formed in bosses 19 extended from the under side ot the table 10. To prevent the plungers 18 turning, keys 2O are disposed in runways provided in the said bosses and plungers.

ln the operation of the apparatus, the pads are reciprocated vertically for pressing upon the body of the patient in the region of the spinal column for the dual purpose or flexing the said column and for producing a peristaltic act-ion of the blood circulatory system in the region of said column. To this end, the adjacent pads are recipro cated alternately so that the exing action is progressive and the compression on the circulating -system is likewise progressive. lilith this in view, the plungers 18 are each operatively and independently connected with a driving shaft 21, and by transmission mechanism of similar form and construction.

The various transmission mechanisms each embody an eccentric 22, an eccentric collar 23, a connecting rod 24, an equalizin link 25, and a union 26. Each union 26 an its associated plunger 18 are connected by a right-and-left threaded screw 27, the knurled nut 28 whereof may be manipulated to independently advance or retract the operative relation of each pad. To permit access to the nuts 28, hand-hole covers 29 are furnished. It is obvious that by means of this adjustment, the extent of treatment of any particular part of the spinal column may be varied.

To vary the intensity of the treatment either generally or locally, is the purpose of the movable brackets 30, which carry pivot pins 31 to form the fulcrum of the equalizing` links 25. rEhe pins 31 extend through slots 32 in each of the links 25. As the manipulation of the feet of the patient. To

brackets 30 are moved toward and away from the shaft 21, the fulcrum of the links 25 is correspondingly varied to the end that the stroke of the plungers 18 and pads carried thereby is lengthened or shortened, and the treatment intensified or modiiied in accordance therewith.

The various brackets 30 are slidably mounted on guide rails 33. `)Each bracket has a sliding base 34, through perforations wherein extends afeedscrew 35. Each screw 35 extends to the outer side of the frame of the apparatus and is provided with a hand Wheel 36. v

It is obvious that the operator by manipulating the various hand wheels 36, may vary the intensity of the operation of any one or more of the plungers 18 and pads 17 connected therewith. in this manner, it will be observed that the character of the operation of the pads 13 to 16, inclusive, may be altered.

When the patient is placed for treatment on the table 10, certain portions of the body are strapped or otherwise held thereon to resist the lifting'V action of the pads.

' While the arrangement of the pads 1 3 to 16, inclusive, is peculiarly adapted for treatment of the spinal column, it will be understood that the treatment may be applied to any portion of the human structure, as, for instance, the leg or legs of a patient might be treated with facility by the pads. In

this case, each leg would be held on the table by any suitable means provided therefor.

When the spinal column is being treated by means of the present apparatus. a strap is generally placed over the head of the patient and another strap is placed across the legs below the hips and slightly removed from the pad 16 whereon the hips rest.

After the pads 13 to 16, inclusive, and the operating mechanism therefor have been adjusted to what the attendant considers proper for the occasion, the shaft 31 is r0- tated or driven by any suitable primeV mover, and, preferably, by an electric motor 37. The motor 37 is suitably geared with the transmission gear wheel 38 mounted on the shaft 21. When the shaft 21 is rotated, the Vvarious plunger-s 18 and pads carried thereby are reciprocated vertically and alternately to support and press upward the body, particularly the regions of the spinal column with which they contact. As these regions alternate, a progressive or peristaltic action is induced in the circulatory system and a progressive flekure of the column is secured.

The present apparatus is adapted for the this end, pads 39 are mounted on feed screws 40. The feed screws 40, as shown best in Fig. 2, engage plungers 41 and 42. The

plungers 41 and 42 are mounted Vin bearings in standards 43. The hand wheels 44 are used for advancing or retarding the screws 40 in the plungers 41 and 42 to accommodate the disposition of the feet of the patient or the treatment to be administered.

Extended above each of the standards 43, are anchors 45 for the rods 46, at the ends whereof are loops 47 wherein are placed the forward portion of the feet being treated. The pads 39 are designed to rest in the arches of the feet.

During the treatment of the feet, the legs of the patient are straightened so that the resistance of the heel of each foot is secured by the `position of the leg of the patient. 'Ehe resistance of the forward portions of the feet is secured by the loops 4T.

As seen'best in Fig. 2 of the drawings, the plungers 41 and 42 alternate in their movement'by securing thereto bell cranks 48 and 49, respectively. The two bell cranks, as seen best in Fig.` 4 of the drawings, are rigidly mounted on pivot shafts 50 and 51. The shafts 50 and 51 are piv` otally mounted in bearings 52 in the frame of the apparatus. The short arms of the bell cranks 48 and 49, are operatively connected with a plunger 53,V the ends Vof the levers having slots 54 through which may be passed the pin 55. The adjustment of the stroke of the plunger 53 is controlled by the bracket 30 and link 25, and by the disposition of the feed screw 35, and hand wheel 36, in the manner above described with reference to the adjustment of the operation of the plungers 18.

L' Claims.

l. An apparatus comprising a support for a recumbent human figure; a plurality of yielding pads operatively disposed in said support, each of said pads having a plunger extending below said support; and a reciprocating mechanism for said plungers, said reciprocating mechanism embodying two series of cams arranged for operation of said pads.

2. An apparatus comprising a support for a recumbent human figure; a plurality of yielding pads operatively disposed in said support, each of said pads having a plunger extending below said support; a reciprocating mechanism for said plungers, said reciprocating mechanism embodying two series of cams arranged for operation of said pads; and means for varying the extent of the reciprocating operation, said means embodying a plurality of rocking members, and means for varying the center of oscillation of said members.

3. An apparatus as characterized comprising a support for a recumbent human oure; a plurality of yielding pads operatively disposed in said support, each of said pads having a plunger extending below said support; a reciprocating mechanism for said plungers, said reciprocating mechanism embodying twoseries of cams arranged for alternate operation of said pads, and means for varying the extent of the reciprocating operation, said means embodying a plurality of rocking members, and means for independently varying the extent or' oscillation of said members.

4. An apparatus comprising a support for a recumbent human ligure; a plurality of yielding pads operatively disposed in said support, each of said pads having a. plunger extending below said support; a reciprocating mechanism for said plungers, said reciprocating mechanism embodying two series of cams arranged for alternate operation of said pads; and means for varying the extent of the reciprocating operation, said means embodying a series of rocking links, one connected with each of said plungers, a series of movable pivot brackets, one connected with each of said links, and means for manipulating said brackets for movement thereof lengthwise of said links.

5. An apparatus as characterized comprising a support for a recumbent human Y ure; a plurality of yielding pads operative disposed in said support, each of said pads having a plunger extendin below said support; a reciprocating mec anism for said plungers, said reciprocating mechanism embodying two series of cams arranged for alternate operation of said pads; means for varying the extent of the reciprocating operation, said means embodying a series of rocking links, one connected with each of said plungers, a series of movable pivot brackets, one connected with each of said links, and means for manipulating said brackets for movement thereof lengthwise of said links; and means intermediate said links and said plungers for varying the initial adjustment of each plunger between each of said links and its corresponding plunger.

6. An apparatus as characterized comprising a support for a recumbent human ligure; a plurality of yielding pads operatively disposed in said support, each of said pads having a plunger extending below said support; a reciprocating mechanism for said plungers, said reciprocating mechanism embodying tWo series of cams arranged for alternate operation of said pads; means 'for varying the extent of the reciprocating operation, said means embodying a series of rocking links, one connected with each of said plungers, a series of movable pivot brackets, one connected with eachof said links, and means for manipulating said brackets for movement thereof lengthwise of said links; and means intermediate said links-and said plungers for varying the initial adjustment of each plunger, said means embodying a plurality of adjusting screws between each of said links and its corresponding plunger, each arranged to be independently manipulated for regulating the moylement of the plunger associated therewit 7. An apparatus as characterized comprising a table support for a recumbent human figure; a plurality of movable yielding pads disposed thereon; driving mechanism for reciprocating said pads, said mechanism embodying a driven shaft; a series of cams mounted thereon, the rises of the alternate cams being oppositely disposed; and a plurality of transmission mechanisms each operatively connecting one of said pads and one of said cams, each of said mechanisms embodying a rocking link and a Inovable pivot therefor.

8. An apparatus as characterized comprising a table support for a recumbent human figure; a plurality of movable yielding pads disposed thereon; driving mechanism for reciprocatinof said pads, said mechanism embodying a driven shaft; a series of cams mounted thereon, the rises of the alternate cams being oppositely disposed; a plurality of transmission mechanisms each operatively connecting one of said pads and one of said cams, each of said mechanisms embodying a rocking link and a movable pivot therefor; and a plurality of sliding supports, one for each of said pivots; and a plurality of manipulating screws, one operatively connected with each of said supports.

9. An apparatus as characterized comprising a table support for a recumbent human figure; a plurality of reciprocating pads, certain of said pads forming rests for the feet of said ligure; a driving mechanism embodying a cam; and a transmission mechanism connecting said cam and both of said pads, said transmission mechanism embodying a plurality of oppositely-operated bell cranks, eachy of said bell cranks being connected with one of said pads whereby when the connecting ends of said bell cranks are moved in one direction, the free ends of said bell cranks move in relatively opposite directions.

10. An apparatus comprising a support for a recumbent human figure; a plurality of yielding pads operatively disposed in said support, each of said pads having a plunger extending below said sup Jort, sundry of the said pads being mounted to move up and down for engagement with the spine of the recumbent gure and sundry of the said pads being mounted to move longitudinally for engagement with the feet of the recumbent gure; and a reciprocating mechanism for said plungers, said reciprocating mechanism embodying two series of cams arranged for operation of said pads.

11. An apparatus as characterized, comi rising a support for a recumbent human 10 other end pad being adapted to engagethe spinal column at the hips of the human fig` ure, and the pads intermediate the said ends being adapted to engage the portion of the spinal column intermediate the neck and hips of the human figure7 actuating means to reciprocate the said pads in a vertical direction, and adjusting means for singly varying the throw of the said pads.Y

JOSEPH J. oARLoTiI. 

